Visitors to a zoo were surprised to see a helicopter land in the elephant
enclosure today after a teenager was taken ill.

The Essex Air Ambulance was dispatched to Colchester Zoo, where a 19-year-old woman was reported to be suffering breathing problems.

The wide, flat space inside the elephant pen was believed to be the best spot for the aircraft to touch down when it arrived just before 11.30am.

It is believed that the four elephants in the enclosure were moved inside their house before the helicopter landed.

Two rapid response vehicles and a land ambulance also attended and after being assessed, the patient was taken by land ambulance to Colchester General Hospital for further care. She was later reported to be in a stable condition.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman said: "Landing at the zoo was one of the more unusual places that the aircrew have needed to do.